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WESTVILLE – When the football team steps on the field tonight, the Westville Tigers will be in familiar territory. They will play undefeated Maroa-Forsyth.

The game is a rematch of last season's Class 2A state championship game. Westville's 2006 season ended when it ran into the Trojans, but the Tigers get a shot at redemption at 7 p.m. on Maroa-Forsyth's field.

ARCOLA – For so long, Arcola's football program was one of the area's best. The Purple Riders won state titles in 1978, 1985 and 1988 under legendary coach Steve Thomas. Everywhere you turn on the Douglas County campus, you're reminded of past gridiron success.

There's the mural in the school's gymnasium commemorating the state champions. On the press box at the football field, signs are posted honoring the state champs. There are even more signs lining the fence inside the football field with the same message. To say the sport matters in the community would be like saying Michael Jordan was a decent basketball player.

ARCOLA – Arcola coach Jarod Kiger has his starting defense on the field at a practice. He's got a scout team lined up on the other side simulating the plays the Purple Riders' quarterfinal opponent, Greenfield-Northwestern, will run Saturday.

He instructs everyone, on both sides of the ball, to go half speed to see the plays develop.